HARDY BULBOUS FLOWERS. 49 



and require care, makes them less important in our country than 

 Lilies and Narcissi, that give so much beauty with little or no care. 

 The years pass so swiftly, and are so full of cares, that things 

 demanding two important attentions yearly i.e., taking up and 

 planting must take a minor place, except in the case of growers 

 who make a special care of them. Generally our climate is against 

 the older Gladioli, and disease very often comes with any large 

 attempt to grow them. 



The special or reserve garden includes beds for hardy bulbs 

 a very good way of growing them, and for supplying flowers for the 



house. A curious habit of the flowers of bulbs is 



Hardy bulbs for that, cut from the plants when just opening and 



cut flowers. put into water, they get larger than they would 



if left on the plants out of doors, and this should 

 lead us to encourage many lovely flowers among hardy bulbs 



Bed of Italian Narcissus. 



that are among the best for our rooms. Hitherto the bane 

 of the gardener has been cutting flowers for the house ; but 

 if cutting prolongs his bloom, strengthens His plants, and gives 

 all who care for his flowers a fuller enjoyment of them, we 

 may secure his powerful aid. Consider what one may escape 

 in storms, frosts, and other dangers if a flower, cut just on 

 arriving at maturity, lasts longer indoors than out, and actually, as 

 in the case of the Narcissus, gets larger ! Narcissi, through their 

 hardiness and drooping heads, endure our climate better than any 

 other flowers, and yet severe storms will beat them about and destroy 



D 



